bound 1 of 5

noun (1)

Definition of boundnext
1
as in limit
a real or imaginary point beyond which a person or thing cannot go the language in the novel really is beyond the bounds of decency

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2
as in confines
the line or relatively narrow space that marks the outer limit of something colored outside the bounds of the drawing

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

bound

2 of 5

noun (2)

as in leap
an act of leaping into the air the kangaroo took one giant bound and was gone

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bound

3 of 5

verb (1)

1
as in to define
to mark the limits of the country is bounded by water on two sides

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2
as in to border
to serve as a border for being bounded on all sides by the Alps has helped Switzerland maintain its neutrality

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bound

4 of 5

verb (2)

1
as in to hop
to move with a light springing step the child giggled and bounded off to play with her friends

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to leap
to propel oneself upward or forward into the air a rabbit bounded down the garden path

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bound

5 of 5

adjective

ˈbau̇nd How to pronounce bound (audio)
as in determined
fully committed to achieving a goal I am bound and determined to write a novel before I turn 30

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of bound
Noun
Lagioia’s book goes into disturbing detail about what came next; suffice it to say that Luca’s murder tested the bounds of sadism. — Jay Weissberg, Variety, 4 Sep. 2026 And in this case, Black's lawsuit states, the panel has overstepped those bounds. — Bill Chappell, NPR, 3 Sep. 2026
Verb
An irrigation channel bounded one side of the field, where both a snowy egret and a great egret stood. — Anne Ewbank, Sacbee.com, 28 Aug. 2026 Family-friendly goldendoodles led in 14 states, while the golden retriever bounded into first across four states. — Liz Gray, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026
Adjective
The bound paper booklets in which students hand-write their responses to test questions have surged in popularity during the AI explosion. — Jamil Zaki, CNBC, 12 May 2026 The Dodgers’ split-squad group that journeyed the 14 miles from Glendale (and ultimately lost to Texas, 7-6) was largely a skeleton crew of Triple-A bound prospects and wannabes. — Tim Cowlishaw, Dallas Morning News, 28 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bound
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bound
  1. limit
  2. edge
  3. leap
  4. define
  5. border
  6. hop
  7. jump
  8. determined
Noun
  • If someone wants to split a cost, state your limit before agreeing.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 7 Sep. 2026
  • The tropical cyclone reached Category 5, defined by sustained winds of 157 mph or greater, overnight Friday before losing some of its steam and settling into Category 4’s limits of sustained winds of 130 to 156 mph by Saturday.
    — Dennis Romero, NBC news, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of limit
Noun
  • The Eagles were not as dominant in 2025, partly due to the regression of the depth in their secondary and the injuries sustained at edge rusher.
    — Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
  • The facilities would include what’s known as an edge computing data center, which typically is much smaller than traditional data centers and which Global Stack says would require lower utility use and no municipal water connection.
    — Justine McDaniel, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of edge
Noun
  • Virginia slides up for its Week 0 beatdown of NC State, and UCLA makes a big leap into the top 25 for its impressive 45-24 win at Cal.
    — Chris Vannini, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • If Taron Johnson and the secondary hold up against complex passing schemes, the unit should take a noticeable leap in efficiency.
    — David Troy OutKick, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of leap
Verb
  • The slump has sapped the power that has defined his offensive game, with no extra-base hits and just one RBI during that span.
    — Jesús Cano, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Its legacy animates both movements seeking greater inclusion and campaigns promising to restore a national unity defined in racial or cultural terms.
    — Faisal Devji, Time, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of define
Verb
  • Castro was initially arrested in May in the Minnesota case, and he was held in custody in Brownsville, Texas, a city bordering Mexico, while Minnesota officials sought his extradition.
    — Alanna Durkin Richer, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Instead, the project will be slow and meticulous to ensure no dust or debris falls onto the neighboring railroad tracks which border the mill on all sides.
    — Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of border
Verb
  • Cats might hop onto counters and knock over dishes, so keep them out of the way, Dresser said.
    — Emily Tarinelli, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • As part of their ordeal, Ben and his girls have been hopping into their 2015 Kia Sedona every couple weeks to drive the 265 miles from Otis for lengthy visits.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of hop
Verb
  • The reflecting pools echo with the sound of water cascading into the voids below, which suggests a peaceful replacement for the terror of men and women jumping from the towers.
    — Thomas E. Franklin, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Jean jumps into her car, and heads from her west side home to her mother's house on the east side of the city.
    — Nicole Avery Nichols, Freep.com, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of jump
Adjective
  • Perhaps as a response to those comments, Styles’ camp seems determined to emphasizing transparency about pricing, and to point out how economical tickets may be compared to other arena or stadium tours.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 10 Sep. 2026
  • But many are also determined to embrace the coming days of celebration and reflection.
    — David Crary, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of determined

Browse Nearby Words

bouncy
bound
boundaries
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Cite this Entry

“Bound.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bound. Accessed 12 Sep. 2026.

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